Broad adds to England injury concerns

England's fast-bowling stocks have taken another hit with the news that Stuart Broad required a scan on his left heel at the close of the second day against Mumbai A. England have already sent for Stuart Meaker as cover for Steven Finn, who strained his thigh in the first warm-up match, and they now have concerns over Broad, their vice-captain and opening bowler.

Broad went wicketless on a tough day in the field for the England XI. He managed to get through ten overs in his first appearance of the India tour but did not bowl after tea. Results of the scan are not expected until Monday but, with the first Test due to start in 11 days' time, the news came as a further headache to Alastair Cook in his first series as England's official Test captain.

A statement from the ECB said: "Stuart felt discomfort late on in today's play and has gone for a scan."

Broad was rested for England's opening warm-up fixture against India A before deputising for Cook in this match. It is understood the team management were keen to leave him out of the four-day match against Haryana, beginning on November 8, which is England's final game before of the first Test in Ahmedabad, raising questions about his fitness for the series.

One of the few England players to feature in all three formats, Broad's workload has been managed throughout the year. His last England appearance came a month ago at the World Twenty20, where he captained the side in five matches, and in the run-up to the tournament he was give the ODI series against South Africa off. He also missed the second Test in Sri Lanka in April with an calf strain and was rested for the West Indies Test at Edgbaston, with England already 2-0 up in the three-match series.

Meaker, the Surrey seamer, is currently still waiting to receive his visa before flying out to India. Although Finn carried out 12th-man duties in Mumbai, jogging on and off with drinks, he is not expected to be fit for the Haryana game and is a major doubt for the first Test. Graham Onions, who made his first England appearance in two years in the third Test against West Indies during the summer, took 1 for 34 against Mumbai A as the bowlers were given a taste of the toil that may await them over four Tests against India.

If England's pace options are restricted by injury, they may be more inclined to play a second specialist spinner alongside Graeme Swann. Monty Panesar saw Cheteshwar Pujara dropped off his bowling at the Dr DY Patil Sports Stadium and the India batsman added another 65 runs to his score before England's left-armer finally removed him but Panesar remained upbeat.

"I think the boys really showed a good effort out there," he said. "[Mumbai A] obviously played well but we didn't make it easy for them either. We tried to go through most of our options, trying to get the seamers involved, keeping the ball dry, getting it to reverse from one end and trying to apply pressure from the other end and I thought as a unit the guys did well today."

The case for two spinners is not the strongest, as England have played seven Tests with Swann and Panesar in the same side and won none of them. However, Panesar said it would be remiss of him not to be prepared for duty.

"These warm-up games are an opportunity to make sure I keep myself ready. I've got to make sure I get my overs in, that I bowl well and go through all my options to get a wicket," he said. "It's up to the selectors to decide what they want to do but I think it's my responsibility to make sure that I'm in a good place and my game's going well."

@mikey76 :- "Players must be picked on CURRENT form not past exploits"... Starting to sound like an Aussie :P... I wouldn't have any problems with Onions getting selected, while Bresnan seems to be slowly getting his mojo back & good to see... If Finn is fully fit, I think the selectors will pick him with Anderson so it is a good problem to have...

POSTED BY
mikey76
on | November 6, 2012, 22:12 GMT

LaraforLife501. Erm I think you need reminding of his 169 against a pakistan attack of Amir, Asif and Ajmal when England were in dire straits. The five-for he took at the Oval in 2009 to win us back the ashes or the stack of wickets he took against India (25@13) including a hat-trick plus a crucial 74 at lords when we were again in trouble in 2011. His wicket tally this calender year is around 40 from 9 matches. Don't really see how he's overrated?

POSTED BY
JG2704
on | November 6, 2012, 18:44 GMT

@Lara4life501 on (November 06 2012, 11:25 AM GMT) I don't think Broad has had a good year and because of form/injuries (which could even be related) I'd not have him in the side. However vs SA , check out the 2nd inns of the test we won the last time we played in SA , and did he not even take a 5 for in the 2nd or 3rd test this year (maybe I'm wrong). vs Aus (check out deciding test in Eng 1st inns in 2009) and vs India Broad was man of the series so I reckon he probably did ok in that one.

POSTED BY
Lara4life501
on | November 6, 2012, 11:25 GMT

Stuart Broad-The most over-rated test cricketer in the world,has a decent record yes, however give me a time he did it against quality opposition??? ie S.Africa, Aus, or even India??? Inflated averages against weak opposition isnt fooling anyone and I am an England fan...J Bairstow looks the goods,great future ahead of him hopefully

POSTED BY
mikey76
on | November 5, 2012, 20:58 GMT

Regarding the next warm up in Ahmedabad which is also the same venue for the first test I think England would be smart in playing a five man attack with two spinners. Although they won't be playing on the same track I cant imagine them being dissimilar in how they play. If England play Swann and Panesar with Anderson, Bresnan and Onions they can then get a good idea of the combination they would need to play in the tests. 2 and 2 or 3 and 1, with Patel to back up.

POSTED BY
mikey76
on | November 5, 2012, 20:51 GMT

Bairstow for Bell is a must now. Bell looks in horrible nick and was lucky to get any runs at all after being dropped. If England ignore Bairstow they will be commiting the same cardinal sin as they did last summer when they ignored Onions who was in the form of his life. Players must be picked on CURRENT form not past exploits. Unless the wicket is an absolute road then I can't see Monty playing, Patel has shown enough with the ball to be considered as an all-rounder. As for the opening slot I think Compton did enough and Root probably won't play in the next warm up. We wont exactly be getting off to any flyers but a good solid opening partnership will do just fine.

POSTED BY
screamingeagle
on | November 5, 2012, 19:47 GMT

@GerrardUK, that is fine then, England will not need to follow on.

POSTED BY
JG2704
on | November 5, 2012, 18:28 GMT

@Charlie101 on (November 05 2012, 10:21 AM GMT) Don't think they will go Swann/Monty and with our pacemen's injury record , going in with just 2 would be asking for trouble so they should only do that as part of a 5/1/5 formation which they won't do.The one good thing is that Patel has shown some form with the bat. My fear is that he'd be a bits and pieces player who contributed little with bat or ball - which of course he still might when it comes to the tests

POSTED BY
Gappistan
on | November 5, 2012, 11:25 GMT

@Pappu_bhai I don't agree with you, i think the fear is because of the destructive Rohit sharma and not Yuvraj. Since the most technical and fearsome batsman is not selected, Finn and Broad will be fit for the series.

POSTED BY
tommyb1234
on | November 5, 2012, 10:58 GMT

Good, as an Englishman you might expect me to be upset by this news, not even close! I hope he's out of the series. It might make the selectors realise their gross error of judgement in having him in the test team to start with, let alone apparently having him next cab on the rank for England Test Captancy too! That is an outrage, he is not a captain, never should be, hopefully never will be

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | November 7, 2012, 4:40 GMT

@mikey76 :- "Players must be picked on CURRENT form not past exploits"... Starting to sound like an Aussie :P... I wouldn't have any problems with Onions getting selected, while Bresnan seems to be slowly getting his mojo back & good to see... If Finn is fully fit, I think the selectors will pick him with Anderson so it is a good problem to have...

POSTED BY
mikey76
on | November 6, 2012, 22:12 GMT

LaraforLife501. Erm I think you need reminding of his 169 against a pakistan attack of Amir, Asif and Ajmal when England were in dire straits. The five-for he took at the Oval in 2009 to win us back the ashes or the stack of wickets he took against India (25@13) including a hat-trick plus a crucial 74 at lords when we were again in trouble in 2011. His wicket tally this calender year is around 40 from 9 matches. Don't really see how he's overrated?

POSTED BY
JG2704
on | November 6, 2012, 18:44 GMT

@Lara4life501 on (November 06 2012, 11:25 AM GMT) I don't think Broad has had a good year and because of form/injuries (which could even be related) I'd not have him in the side. However vs SA , check out the 2nd inns of the test we won the last time we played in SA , and did he not even take a 5 for in the 2nd or 3rd test this year (maybe I'm wrong). vs Aus (check out deciding test in Eng 1st inns in 2009) and vs India Broad was man of the series so I reckon he probably did ok in that one.

POSTED BY
Lara4life501
on | November 6, 2012, 11:25 GMT

Stuart Broad-The most over-rated test cricketer in the world,has a decent record yes, however give me a time he did it against quality opposition??? ie S.Africa, Aus, or even India??? Inflated averages against weak opposition isnt fooling anyone and I am an England fan...J Bairstow looks the goods,great future ahead of him hopefully

POSTED BY
mikey76
on | November 5, 2012, 20:58 GMT

Regarding the next warm up in Ahmedabad which is also the same venue for the first test I think England would be smart in playing a five man attack with two spinners. Although they won't be playing on the same track I cant imagine them being dissimilar in how they play. If England play Swann and Panesar with Anderson, Bresnan and Onions they can then get a good idea of the combination they would need to play in the tests. 2 and 2 or 3 and 1, with Patel to back up.

POSTED BY
mikey76
on | November 5, 2012, 20:51 GMT

Bairstow for Bell is a must now. Bell looks in horrible nick and was lucky to get any runs at all after being dropped. If England ignore Bairstow they will be commiting the same cardinal sin as they did last summer when they ignored Onions who was in the form of his life. Players must be picked on CURRENT form not past exploits. Unless the wicket is an absolute road then I can't see Monty playing, Patel has shown enough with the ball to be considered as an all-rounder. As for the opening slot I think Compton did enough and Root probably won't play in the next warm up. We wont exactly be getting off to any flyers but a good solid opening partnership will do just fine.

POSTED BY
screamingeagle
on | November 5, 2012, 19:47 GMT

@GerrardUK, that is fine then, England will not need to follow on.

POSTED BY
JG2704
on | November 5, 2012, 18:28 GMT

@Charlie101 on (November 05 2012, 10:21 AM GMT) Don't think they will go Swann/Monty and with our pacemen's injury record , going in with just 2 would be asking for trouble so they should only do that as part of a 5/1/5 formation which they won't do.The one good thing is that Patel has shown some form with the bat. My fear is that he'd be a bits and pieces player who contributed little with bat or ball - which of course he still might when it comes to the tests

POSTED BY
Gappistan
on | November 5, 2012, 11:25 GMT

@Pappu_bhai I don't agree with you, i think the fear is because of the destructive Rohit sharma and not Yuvraj. Since the most technical and fearsome batsman is not selected, Finn and Broad will be fit for the series.

POSTED BY
tommyb1234
on | November 5, 2012, 10:58 GMT

Good, as an Englishman you might expect me to be upset by this news, not even close! I hope he's out of the series. It might make the selectors realise their gross error of judgement in having him in the test team to start with, let alone apparently having him next cab on the rank for England Test Captancy too! That is an outrage, he is not a captain, never should be, hopefully never will be

POSTED BY
disco_bob
on | November 5, 2012, 10:50 GMT

Oh right, I forgot that England are playing India, in India. Should provide a bit of comic relief while watching the serious action in Australia. Pip pip.

POSTED BY
Charlie101
on | November 5, 2012, 10:21 GMT

I think they will play Monty and Swann . The question then is whether to play Bairstow or Patel which I can not answer as it is very difficult descision. Bell is going to miss a test soon and the way he is playing ( though he has hit some runs today ) his place may be in danger if Bairstow and Patel keep performing well !!!

POSTED BY
RednWhiteArmy
on | November 5, 2012, 10:18 GMT

The mighty, mighty England wont let this hold em back!

POSTED BY
on | November 5, 2012, 9:27 GMT

So, England side for the first Test, then - Cook, Compton, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Prior, Patel, Bresnan, Broad (or Finn, dpending on injury status) Swann, Anderson. It's a pity there's no room for Monty - because I would have him ahead of Swann, to be honest, given that Swann has been rubbish all year, but the selectors will stick with him regardless. Bell isn't in form, but they'll play him too, and for the same reason as Swann

POSTED BY
A_Yorkshire_Lad
on | November 5, 2012, 9:21 GMT

@ Pappu bhai - Oh goodness gracious me , THAT was original !

POSTED BY
Charlie101
on | November 5, 2012, 9:09 GMT

@pappu_bhai I seem to remember during the Indian tour of England a number of India players being struck down with mysterious injuries and unable to play . I am thinking of Gambir with a concussion from falling over - strange because he could not buy a run !!!! And Harbejan being injured and unable to play when he was being thrashed all over England. Both players seemed right as rain when they returned to play ODI / T20 a couple of weeks later. I was lucky enough to see Broad's hatrick live which included Yuvraj and I dont think he is scared !!!!

POSTED BY
on | November 5, 2012, 8:48 GMT

Good. Broad is not a bowler for Indian conditions. Not fast enough to liven up the dead pitches, not enough variation to make a 30 over old ball that looks like a "week old teabag" do anything off the pitch. A blessing in disguise. Onions, Tremlett, Bresnan would all be better suited to these conditions, and England only want to play 2 specialist seamers anyway, Panesar MUST play - and how now after two good knocks can they keep Patel out? Swann is a shoe-in. 3 spinners, 2 seamers Anderson, Onions or Bresnan - and 3 spinners. Broad should never even have been on this tour. A disaster avoided. Great in English conditions - hopeless without pace seam or swing assistance.

Not surprised..Didn't he get injured before the 5-0 white wash of ODI series?
This could be a really boring series..either one sided favouring India or high scoring draw

POSTED BY
Pappu_bhai
on | November 5, 2012, 7:15 GMT

We missed Broad more than ENgland.He was a good bowler and the only bowler to hit 6 sixes in an over.Ooh Sorry typing mistake Gone for six sixes in an over.He is not afraid of Yuvi and leaving.He is moving out only due to injury.

POSTED BY
Gupta.Ankur
on | November 5, 2012, 6:04 GMT

Another one finds himself on the physio's table......are we seeing the repeat of 2006 tour of sub-continent? When by the time Eng reached India from Pak tour 7-8 people were sent back home.

Asian teams are forever ridiculed for their lack of fitness.....but to my knowledge if you ain't on the park, you ain't fit! You must count the number of aus/eng bowlers that get injured each season despite their top fitness levels...

POSTED BY
RandyOZ
on | November 5, 2012, 5:42 GMT

No big loss for the United XI. Almost as overrated as Swann.

POSTED BY
nilesh91
on | November 5, 2012, 5:36 GMT

@GerrardLK I thought you would be after WI as they humiliate you in yet another FINAL, but I get it as pain of loosing 50 over WC is more than T20WC.

POSTED BY
IC_M
on | November 5, 2012, 5:17 GMT

I think he heard Yuvraj Sing may be included in the test side :)

POSTED BY
zenboomerang
on | November 5, 2012, 4:10 GMT

@Nutcutlet... Interesting point about workload & I agree it is an issue with bowlers / allrounders as there is now too much cricket outside of the normal schedules - WC, IPL, CL which has added 3+ months to this years cricket & surely must take its toll...

POSTED BY
SoverBerry2
on | November 5, 2012, 3:44 GMT

What happened to Broad? Why is he bowling like Indian pace bowlers?

POSTED BY
MattyP1979
on | November 5, 2012, 3:29 GMT

Agree with Nutcutlet. He seems to have been carrying an injury for seom time. Whatever team Eng put out will be a competitive one (or one hopes). Should be a fantastic series. If Eng solve the never ending problem against spin do Ind have a plan B? I hope pithces favour a result one way or other, I suppose for vengance they should be.

POSTED BY
wrenx
on | November 5, 2012, 2:12 GMT

Pretty flawed analysis on dismissing the case for 2 spinners. How many of those tests were down to the batting flopping hard for England? More times than the spinners were at fault.

POSTED BY
GerrardLK
on | November 5, 2012, 1:55 GMT

Now chances are becoming more realistic for India to score 200 in an innings with English 2nd line bowling attack.

POSTED BY
Meety
on | November 5, 2012, 0:13 GMT

@Nutcutlet on (November 04 2012, 17:24 PM GMT) - on the one hand I thought it was innovative selecting Broad as T20 captain, but the reality is, in the crowded schedule, why would you play blue-chip assets like Swann & Broad across all 3 formats? Oz are cottoning on, Siddle & Patto are being ear-marked as Test specialists. We also have Punter & Cowan in that category too, with Pup not playing International T20. Still got a long way to go to get it right though! I think England are behind in that area of management. They do rest players, but I don't think they co-ordiante properly. I think the ODI series v Oz, stuffed England's momentum last English summer, & think if they hadn't of played the ODIs, the Saffa series would of been a hell of a lot closer! In Oz, we shouldn't of been stuffing around with so many Test-quality players in the Champ League prior to the Saffa series!

@Nampally on (November 04 2012, 15:24 PM GMT) Unbelievable. You are STILL trying to say that 10 of the 11 player who played against England last year were replacement. If Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Dhoni, etc, were replacement - then please tell us WHO they were replacing. Stop with this "Injury" excuse it is most unbecoming.

POSTED BY
bonobo
on | November 4, 2012, 22:36 GMT

I agree with the comments that Broad more than most bowlers suffers when he is not at full pace, he has never had a great control of his length to fall back on, which should be a virtue in a tall bowler. But for all his inconsistencies, he is the one bowler England have who can run through a side and produce a match winning spell by himself, when the pace, bounce and movement he gathers are in harness. Thats why he is crucial for this series, it will be diffcult for the England attack in India to ever really dominate and innings and they need to maximise on those one or two spells where they make take 4 or 5 wickets in a session....I wonder also two things, is Broads frame string enough for all the bowling he does and having shaped his entire career in the international set up....would bowling in the county game enabled him to develop the skill to bowl effective spells at reduced pace, after the new ball

POSTED BY
on | November 4, 2012, 22:18 GMT

The arguement for England not going with two specialist spinners because they haven't won with the formula in the past, is ridicuous. Our capitulation against Pakistan earlier in the year was due to incompetence with the bat, with Panesar being one of the few players to give us a chance in that series. It's the same thing every tour. Patel may be handy, but hardly a match winning bowler. Swann and Monty have to be the way forward in India, surely?!

POSTED BY
subbass
on | November 4, 2012, 22:10 GMT

I don't think anyone truly thinks England has the best bowling attack, but there is a lot of depth. Yes it is a poor effort not to have bowled out a Mumbai 2nd team but hey ho it is only a warm up game AND it is far from the 1st choice bowling attack and finally it is a flat wicket. Judge them in the final warm up game at least ! And really you should only judge them in the 1st test. Mind you Indian pop gun bowling attacks would know all about poor bowling performances.

POSTED BY
Meety
on | November 4, 2012, 21:00 GMT

Not good news for England. Broad needs to play this series for his credibility, there is a big discrepancy between his home & away stats, (even allowing for the neutral UAE series where he was quite good). Hopefully it is precautionary @hhillbumper on (November 04 2012, 16:46 PM GMT) - WOW, you show your face here after the comments you have been making about injured Oz bowlers? Perhaps you are encouraging some malevolent karma on your own bowlers!

POSTED BY
Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on | November 4, 2012, 19:28 GMT

Finn, Sehwag, Zaheer, Broad....and the list continues. Sehwag can be excused as he got injured...but other players - shameful fitness.

POSTED BY
on | November 4, 2012, 18:07 GMT

Why is the so called (mind it by english commentators only) the best bowling attack not able to bowl out a club level Mumbai A side :) .... Why is English commentators not talking about the fitness of English players and their preparation for high profile series? :)

POSTED BY
Nutcutlet
on | November 4, 2012, 17:24 GMT

Broad hasn't been fully fit for some time now. He missed the final Test v SL last winter & has been 3/4 pace, 3/4 fit since then. Swann too, we all know, has a chronic condition to do with his right elbow. I believe that both of these bowlers, playing in all formats for England, are being asked to do too much - not just in days played, but in the requirements of switching from one form to the other. Watson, required by Oz for all formats, is also struggling with fitness. The penny will drop with the ECB & CA that these players' (& others') fitness seems to have much to do with their workload & frankly, it is not being well managed. In the end, their effectiveness is reduced & their careers are over long before they should be. A process of identification needs to be implemented: who plays in which format. Five furlong horses are not asked to compete over a mile +, so why should cricketers be expected to chop & change, chop & change -- until they are knackered?

POSTED BY
Nayel_19
on | November 4, 2012, 17:22 GMT

The charm of this battle is shading off by injuries now....Wanted both teams have their 100% & have a go on each other....just hope both Finn & Broad gets fit & no one on the Indian squad picks up an injury....

POSTED BY
hhillbumper
on | November 4, 2012, 16:46 GMT

Stuart broad is not much cop unless he can bowl in the high 80's.He is still young and yet gets injured at the drop of a hat.He is more like an Indian player in his seeming lack of fitness and ability

POSTED BY
TheBengalTiger
on | November 4, 2012, 16:07 GMT

Now all they need is to lose 4 more players so they experience what India went through last year

POSTED BY
Nampally
on | November 4, 2012, 15:24 GMT

It looks like the rnd of the tour for both Finn & Broad. Injuries to the fast bowlers do not heal easily. When India lost a multitude of players (Total=10) due to injuries, they were scoffed for their fitness. India was also facing long delays due to Visas being granted by the English authorities. As a result they could never get the replacements in a timely manner. Would England be facing the reciprocal delays? England may also be hiding one or 2 batsmen in this list as well - Bairstow is still on the mend & could easily be the next victim. Cook sitting out the second match of the tour also raises some doubts. The news from the Indian camp is also not all that rosy. Zaheer pulled up in the Ranji game with groin cramp (?) and Sehwag is playing with an injured finger. So it looks like it will be the survival of the fittest that will decide the 2 teams for the first test.

POSTED BY
InsideHedge
on | November 4, 2012, 14:38 GMT

Why didn't the ECB make sure the stand-by players ALREADY have their visas in place? England are fortunate that there are still 10 days before the 1st Test, what if injuries occur with a short notice?

Also, Eng would want to send Meaker out for a run against Haryana. Sort it out, "back room staff", what a great job these fellas have (for all the respective boards), no-one knows their names, they never receive criticism when the team plays badly but they are well paid and stay below the radar. Good job if you can get it!

POSTED BY
sohaibahmad
on | November 4, 2012, 14:35 GMT

Surely hardship bonus for this tour will be paid as was done some years back for England's tour to Pakistan :)

POSTED BY
2.14istherunrate
on | November 4, 2012, 13:50 GMT

Players turning up for a tour unfit raises the spectre of Steve Harmison 4 years ago. Not very clever. Just the fact that they wanted to play Broad in only 1 game should have been a warning to them.

POSTED BY
nirmalzz
on | November 4, 2012, 13:45 GMT

England is preparing for giving excuses for the loss, when India tour will complete.
In 1st tour match - finn and now, in 2nd match - broad.. In next match, may be swann or andreson or anyone else will be injured. Nice preparation for excuses.. Lol,,

POSTED BY
nilesh91
on | November 4, 2012, 13:44 GMT

Run Forrest run! these are not the overcast conditions and pitch is flat. So run as fast as you can to protect your SR and Economy.

POSTED BY
on | November 4, 2012, 13:31 GMT

Broad keeps picking up injuries - is there some underlying problem that is not being sorted out?

POSTED BY
rahulcricket007
on | November 4, 2012, 13:30 GMT

even before the series has started we are seeing injuries from both teams . first finn gets injured , then sehwag & zaheer gets injured now it's broad's time .

POSTED BY
Arrow011
on | November 4, 2012, 13:30 GMT

It is like starting on a long tour bus which has no toilet, before starting the real battle all players want to be ready, so they are answering nature's call before the test matches begin.

POSTED BY
ADI_GUNGALIYA_FANTASY
on | November 4, 2012, 13:09 GMT

Ohh No.

Now, England might use these reason for Public why they lose 4-0 to India.

Hope, Broad is fit & england have no reason then "we played badly" when they lose 4-0 to india.

POSTED BY
Narkovian
on | November 4, 2012, 12:39 GMT

Perhaps a re-think ?
Play less cricket equals get injured when you do play.
Play more cricket equals don't get injured.
Certainly the latter was the perceived wisdom 30 years ago and more.
Old fashioned thinking was that you got fit by bowling. Not by physical jerks in the gym. Seems to me Broad is becoming very injury prone. Along with one or two others. Cummins, Watson, Finn come quickly to mind.

POSTED BY
landsite
on | November 4, 2012, 12:36 GMT

These blokes have just left England and have played one match so far how on earth injuries can affect them so quickly.I suspect Broad has already worked out a situation where he will not succeed on these wikets and so its an easy excuse to cop out now.I feel certain there are more excuses to follow and when India trash England they can always turn to injuries as the cause of their sad demise. :-(

POSTED BY
vivek464
on | November 4, 2012, 12:30 GMT

English bowlers need to toughen up, but I suppose this is a marked improvement from Finn who only bowled four overs. Broad has brought the number up to 10. Congratulations England!!!! On a more serious note, I think England's two best pacers in these conditions would have been Finn and Broad. Anderson doesn't seem to have anything other than conventional swing and it won't swing for long in India unless he develops reverse swing. 2-1 India for mine. Thoughts?

POSTED BY
on | November 4, 2012, 12:16 GMT

its better to england not play 3rd practise match they may lose swan or anderson reminds me england vs india

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
on | November 4, 2012, 12:16 GMT

its better to england not play 3rd practise match they may lose swan or anderson reminds me england vs india

POSTED BY
vivek464
on | November 4, 2012, 12:30 GMT

English bowlers need to toughen up, but I suppose this is a marked improvement from Finn who only bowled four overs. Broad has brought the number up to 10. Congratulations England!!!! On a more serious note, I think England's two best pacers in these conditions would have been Finn and Broad. Anderson doesn't seem to have anything other than conventional swing and it won't swing for long in India unless he develops reverse swing. 2-1 India for mine. Thoughts?

POSTED BY
landsite
on | November 4, 2012, 12:36 GMT

These blokes have just left England and have played one match so far how on earth injuries can affect them so quickly.I suspect Broad has already worked out a situation where he will not succeed on these wikets and so its an easy excuse to cop out now.I feel certain there are more excuses to follow and when India trash England they can always turn to injuries as the cause of their sad demise. :-(

POSTED BY
Narkovian
on | November 4, 2012, 12:39 GMT

Perhaps a re-think ?
Play less cricket equals get injured when you do play.
Play more cricket equals don't get injured.
Certainly the latter was the perceived wisdom 30 years ago and more.
Old fashioned thinking was that you got fit by bowling. Not by physical jerks in the gym. Seems to me Broad is becoming very injury prone. Along with one or two others. Cummins, Watson, Finn come quickly to mind.

POSTED BY
ADI_GUNGALIYA_FANTASY
on | November 4, 2012, 13:09 GMT

Ohh No.

Now, England might use these reason for Public why they lose 4-0 to India.

Hope, Broad is fit & england have no reason then "we played badly" when they lose 4-0 to india.

POSTED BY
Arrow011
on | November 4, 2012, 13:30 GMT

It is like starting on a long tour bus which has no toilet, before starting the real battle all players want to be ready, so they are answering nature's call before the test matches begin.

POSTED BY
rahulcricket007
on | November 4, 2012, 13:30 GMT

even before the series has started we are seeing injuries from both teams . first finn gets injured , then sehwag & zaheer gets injured now it's broad's time .

POSTED BY
on | November 4, 2012, 13:31 GMT

Broad keeps picking up injuries - is there some underlying problem that is not being sorted out?

POSTED BY
nilesh91
on | November 4, 2012, 13:44 GMT

Run Forrest run! these are not the overcast conditions and pitch is flat. So run as fast as you can to protect your SR and Economy.

POSTED BY
nirmalzz
on | November 4, 2012, 13:45 GMT

England is preparing for giving excuses for the loss, when India tour will complete.
In 1st tour match - finn and now, in 2nd match - broad.. In next match, may be swann or andreson or anyone else will be injured. Nice preparation for excuses.. Lol,,